Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    119

    Hiking pole spreader bar fail!

    I have been using my older Leki Makalu poles as spreader bars on my DIY bridge hammock. I made cordura pockets to insert the ends into, putting rubber tips on the bottom of the poles to keep the carbide tips from wearing through the cordura.

    This weekend the tip of one of the bars bent while I was in the hammock:

    IMG_9538.jpg

    I am changing the design so that only the handle end goes into a pocket, since clearly the tip is not robust enough to do this.

    BTW, at 160 lbs I am not exactly a heavyweight.

  2. #2
    Senior Member TrailSlug's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Huntsville, AL
    Hammock
    Warbonnet RR / BlackbirdXLC
    Tarp
    SimplyLightDesigns
    Insulation
    Lynx / LocoLibre
    Suspension
    webbing/buckles
    Posts
    7,730
    Images
    1
    There are a lot of forces at work in these bridge hammocks so be sure your poles are in good shape if you are going this route.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    SW VA
    Hammock
    WB RR
    Tarp
    SLD WH
    Insulation
    MH 0 Bag/LL 0 RR
    Suspension
    STRAPS
    Posts
    240
    pdxhangar I'd definitely be interested in whatever you're willing to share as to how your considering changing things out.

    Thank you

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    119
    Now that I know how the tips are constructed (at least the Leki tips), I feel confident that they aren't up to the task. They are hollow plastic, so the part below where the metal pole in inserted is likely to fail like mine did.

    IMG_9539.jpg

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    119
    Quote Originally Posted by LoneTraveler View Post
    pdxhangar I'd definitely be interested in whatever you're willing to share as to how your considering changing things out.
    I'm working on it today. I'll show you soon.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by pdxhanger View Post
    Now that I know how the tips are constructed (at least the Leki tips), I feel confident that they aren't up to the task. They are hollow plastic, so the part below where the metal pole in inserted is likely to fail like mine did.

    IMG_9539.jpg
    Downsides of reducing weight on anything = weaker/hollow materials

  7. #7
    Senior Member stevebo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Moreland Georgia
    Hammock
    WBRR
    Tarp
    diy sil argon camo
    Insulation
    lynx
    Suspension
    whoopie slings
    Posts
    2,074
    I use mountainsmith poles for spreader bars and have had the same problem. I came up with an adapter that takes most of the stress off the tip and transfers it to the shaft . (Adapter is made out of pvc end caps, a short piece of pvc pipe, and a couple of screws). I've been using this system for several years now with no problems!
    FYI: If you want to know what type a certain bear is, sneak up behind it and kick it. Then,
    run like crazy and climb up a tree. If the bear climbs the tree and eats you, it's a black
    bear. If the bear just pushes the tree over and eats you, it's a grizzly bear : )


    Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either, just leave me alone.
    --unknown

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    SW VA
    Hammock
    WB RR
    Tarp
    SLD WH
    Insulation
    MH 0 Bag/LL 0 RR
    Suspension
    STRAPS
    Posts
    240

    DIY instructions

    Any chance you can detail the parts, and steps required to achieve the end result,...sure would appreciate it.

  9. #9
    Phantom Grappler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Denton NC
    Hammock
    WildernessLogics 12x6
    Tarp
    HG cuben 13ridge12
    Insulation
    TopQuiltUnderQuilt
    Suspension
    S and D
    Posts
    4,926
    If you had some poles that are not bent--would it be possible to fill hollow voids with some material that would fill entire void and harden enough to strengthen poles at possible failure points and prevent or reduce chances of failure? Or maybe an interior liner can be somehow put inside hollow pole for added strength and resistance to bending and breaking.
    Stevebo has a solution that he has used successfully!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Senior Member stevebo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Moreland Georgia
    Hammock
    WBRR
    Tarp
    diy sil argon camo
    Insulation
    lynx
    Suspension
    whoopie slings
    Posts
    2,074
    Sure----Im on vacation for a few days , but will send a picture and specs when I get back!
    FYI: If you want to know what type a certain bear is, sneak up behind it and kick it. Then,
    run like crazy and climb up a tree. If the bear climbs the tree and eats you, it's a black
    bear. If the bear just pushes the tree over and eats you, it's a grizzly bear : )


    Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either, just leave me alone.
    --unknown

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Hiking pole spreader bars are a bit too long
      By Just Tom in forum Warbonnet Hammocks
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 05-30-2017, 19:25
    2. WB RidgeRunner Hiking Pole Spreader Bars
      By WVwanderer in forum Warbonnet Hammocks
      Replies: 17
      Last Post: 04-17-2015, 22:33
    3. Question about Ridgerunner Hiking pole spreader bar.
      By Miguel in forum Warbonnet Hammocks
      Replies: 46
      Last Post: 07-13-2014, 11:44
    4. Hiking pole - spreader bars
      By egrant5329 in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 10-09-2012, 08:21
    5. Hiking pole spreader bar failure.
      By Leifo5343 in forum Suspension Systems, Ridgelines, & Bug Nets
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 06-18-2009, 20:17

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •